Bike Shop Girl » Salsa Casseroll Reviewhttp://bikeshopgirl.com
Empowering women and families in cyclingFri, 31 Jul 2015 16:48:25 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.6Preview: 2011 Salsa Cycles Casserollhttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2011/12/preview-2011-salsa-cycles-casseroll/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2011/12/preview-2011-salsa-cycles-casseroll/#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2011 11:20:51 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=6599Getting lost on a road with two full water bottles and the knowledge of a well packed bag sitting behind you is bliss.

Overview from my Eyes

To say the least, I was elated when the words came through this past September that Salsa would be sending an updated Salsa Casseroll for review.

For the past three years I’ve been commuting, morphing and loving my original Salsa Casserollpurchased as an all around steel bike. (Purchased with my hard earned cash, not given to review.) There were things I wish were different, like the strange semi-compact geometry which was fun to ride as a road bike but not as upright as I would like for long distance or commuting. Or that the long pull brakes didn’t allow me to run fat 38c tires with fenders.

As I have been beating around, commuting, tooling around Charlotte, taking along the back roads, finding hard packed gravel roads and learning what this bike yearns for – I am pleasantly surprised. Never did I think there would be so much change between the two bikes. The characteristics are still the same, but the handling, geometry and capabilities have grown. Personally, I added a rear rack to compliment and allow for panniers or a rear trunk bag. The front rack that comes stock is beautiful, but I’m still left wondering what type of bag to put on it. Normally I am left strapping a stuff sack with a bungee cord.

This bike was provided to me for no charge from Salsa Cycles. I’m reviewing this completely unbiased and my relationship with Salsa Cycles as a rep will not taint any views or opinions I have of the bike or how I share them with you. Swear.

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2011/12/preview-2011-salsa-cycles-casseroll/feed/6Various Versions of a Salsa Casserollhttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2008/09/various-versions-of-a-salsa-casseroll/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2008/09/various-versions-of-a-salsa-casseroll/#commentsSun, 21 Sep 2008 00:41:06 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=2245In late August I took delivery of a Salsa Casseroll in the single speed variety. Since then the bike has been my (almost) daily ride. It has caused me to get rid of my car and be a true car-free commuter and cyclist. There have been transformations of the bike which have been documented well.

Salsa Casseroll Version 1.0

The stock set up with drop bar and single speed. 38mm tires and a very pretty chain guard. A rear rack was installed immediately and I pedaled it around this set up for about 3 days.

Salsa Casseroll Version 1.1

The drop bar was swapped for a mountain handlebar (carbon Monkeylite) I had in the closet. Due to the

brakes being long pull I had to run a cyclocross top lever and then made a rear shifter become my rear brake. The grips and Trek clock were my favorite part of this set up. Long term this will be how the bike is set up, but with a more swept back bar and correct brake levers.

Salsa Casseroll Version 2.0

My road bike developed a crack in the down tube so all my geared Campagnola parts went on to the Casseroll. Lighter wheels, cyclocross cranks and 2×10 set up has been a dream to ride for the past month. I probably will run this setup through winter. The fatty tires, rear rack and soon to be fenders are going to be key for my 150 mile commuting per week. Plus long rides are pretty fun with gears.

Salsa Casseroll Specs

Normally I ride a 55cm so I went with a 53cm frame, currently I am running a 90mm stem at 7degree rise. When I’m running flat bars the stem is at 100mm.
I’ve been advised multiple times by Salsa to keep the bike off the single track. The fork is not made for it and I might loose some teeth.

Be prepared to reconnect with cycling if you buy this bike. It catches many folks eyes, is a wonderful steady bike to load down the rear rack and enjoy your commute or long ride.
The rear rack needed a hose clamp on one side as the brake cable is in the way of the braze-on of the left seat stay. Hasn’t hurt my load carrying one bit.